letter to the editor
Reader takes issue with U.S. Flag used as ‘wearing apparel’ in Aug. 2 f-press photo
It was with interest that I observed a picture on page 2B of the Aug. 2, 2018 “farragutpress” showing Mr. Lynn Fox during his presentation to the Farragut Lions Club on the history of the American Flag.
Obviously, Mr. Fox is not the expert on our nation’s standard as he presents himself. Had he been more knowledgeable he certainly would not have worn a representation of our flag as a shirt.
According to Title 4 of the United States Code, “the flag should not be used as ‘wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery,’ or for covering a speaker’s desk, draping a platform or for any decoration in general (exception for coffins).
“Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top,” Title 4 of the code continued.
What is also extremely discouraging about this incident is that there were probably veterans attending this event who did not speak up about the disrespect shown to our nation’s flag.
Earlier this spring I walked out of a local high school baseball game because two American flags were painted on the baseball field close to home plate and players were walking on them.
Before my departure, I approached a school official and advised him of the disrespectful display. He told me that earlier in the season there had been a military appreciation day. This is why the flags were on display.
The school did not know this was a Flag Code violation.
Later I attended another game and found the flags had been removed.
What disturbed me most about this was the fact the school has a JROTC program and the flags were on display for a military appreciation day.
Again, no veterans and no JROTC instructor objected to the disrespectful act shown our nation’s flag.
“The flag should never be stepped on.”
“The flag should never touch anything beneath it.”
Please feel free to read up on our Flag Code: http://us-flag.net/code/ or The Flag Code - American Legion, at www.legion.org/ or United States Flag Code - U.S. History at www.ushistory.org
Skip Seabolt,
Concord
